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Overview

Hollowand - the first book in the young adult dystopian series The Hollows...

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

This young adult title contains violence, some mild language and sexual situations. It is recommended for ages sixteen and up.

Editorial Reviews

Jessica Armenta

The action is non-stop. It starts on the first page and really doesn't let up at all, but not to the point where you get burnt out on it. And FINALLY we have a female lead that can do things for herself! Remy is strong and courageous and does things her way to survive. There is some romance, but it's not like all the other romances in supernatural stories where the girl ends up not being able to do anything alone. It was SO refreshing.

Jennifer Meegan

While I may not go out of my way to read zombie fiction, I LOVED this story. The action starts off with a bang from the first sentence and doesn't let up until the very last.... The tension throughout was pitch perfect...not too over the top but just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat wondering how in the hell the characters are going to get out of the latest jam. At times, this felt more like a fun summer blockbuster movie than a book...this is a good thing.

Kristi Stern

The horrors they face are ghastly and shocking, it'll leave your heart thumping like crazy, but the story is also heart wrenching and sad with so much depth of emotion. Every chapter takes you on a roller coaster ride of full of ups and downs; and the constant question of what's going to happen next? It's virtually impossible to put this book down.

M. J. A. Ware

I was expecting it to be like Twilight, but with zombies (call it a monster love story) and that would have been okay. I was wrong, the stories' main focus in definitely smashing in zombie brains, not romance. When I read Twilight I often found myself glossing over page after page of Bella's "feelings" to get to the real story. Not so with Remy. Yes, she pauses to think about how sad it is that everyone's turned into raging zombies, but then she proceeds to stomp their undead heads in.

Related Subjects

Meet the Author

Amanda Hocking is a lifelong Minnesotan obsessed with John Hughes and Jim Henson. In between making collages and drinking too much Red Bull, she writes young adult urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The first three books in her vampire series - My Blood Approves, Fate, and Flutter - are available now. The fourth book in the series - Wisdom - will be out August 2010. The first book in her new paranormal romance the Trylle Trilogy - Switched - is out now, and the second book - Torn - will be out Fall 2010.

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Hollowland is a must read

Another fantastic read by an amazing author Amanda Hocking. Couldn't stop reading from the very first page until the ending. Loved all of the wonderfully developed characters and the pace of this book was just perfect. Already eagerly awaiting the next publication by the super talented Ms. Hocking.

18 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

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Best Zombie Book Ever!

I didn't think that I was going to like this book. I didn't even go into it with an open mind. But this book is awesome! I am recommending it to everyone. I e-lent it to my daughter and she loved it as well. We both have now read all of her books.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 19, 2012

Best book ever!!!

This book may be grafic at times but is amazing a full of datil, its also funny:)If your a big zombie fan who has not felt in depth with the zombie books you've read in the past and has wached things from "Zombie land" to "the Walking Dead" and every thing inbetween this is the perfect book for you:)

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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EnchantedReader20

Posted March 16, 2013

I love zombie books, and this is one of the better ones. I loved

I love zombie books, and this is one of the better ones. I loved Remy’s character. She was driven to do whatever was necessary to get to her brother, including abandoning an infected friend. Not a lot of heroines would do that, and I think it made Remy more relatable, which is something I need in my main characters. I loved the other characters as well, especially Harlow and Ripley. Lazlo was kind of annoying, but I thought his relationship with Remy was sweet, and I’m glad it didn’t just come out of nowhere like love at first sight. There was plenty of action, blood, and gore in this, and even though it got a little over the top at some points, it was still an exciting adventure.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Fun and Exciting Quick Read

First of all, yes, there are some unrealistic aspects to this story. A tiger following around a group of young adults and helping them fight zombies, yet never attacking them? Remy being able to fight off anything that comes in her way? Probably would never happen. That being said, this is a zombie book and it's not meant to be taken too seriously. It's meant to be somewhat unrealistic and Amanda Hocking does a good job at making this book fun and action packed. If you're the kind of person that likes to nitpick unrealistic scenes or events, then this book is most likely not for you. If that would not bother you, then give this book a try, chances are that you won't be able to put it down!

Remy, the main character is on a mission to find her brother after their quarantine is infected by zombies. She teams up with interesting people, some who make it and some who don't. She runs into some very interesting and some creepy situations along the way. There was never a dull moment in this book for me. Remy might have stumbled upon all the events that happened to her, but it flowed nicely for the reader and always kept me wanting to know what would happen next.

Remy was a fresh female main character. Hardly afraid of anything and very brave, yet she was unwilling to let her true and vulnerable feelings show. She was a nice change from most of the YA female characters and I actually liked her dismissive attitude because she didn't want to get hurt or attached to anyone. The other characters that travel with her all have their own unique personalities and I enjoyed reading about each and every one of them. They never felt bland and made Remy's adventure more exciting. Instead of bringing the story down when more characters were added to Remy's group, it livened it up.

I recommend this book for anyone that wants to read a fun action packed novel. Even if you don't like zombies you might just get attached in finding out what happens to Remy and her friends. At .99 cents you really can't miss out on this book!

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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susan-ve

Posted December 12, 2010

Thanks for a wonderful read

I have found a new author to watch! Even though the books is aimed at young adults, this old adult enjoyed it too!
Lets hope Amanda writes the sequel soon.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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In love with this book and author!

In a word this book is phenomenal! Hollowland introduces the best and most kick ass female heroine I have ever read. Remy is a nineteen year old girl taking on the world of really smart zombies, marauders, crazy cult enthusiasts, lions, love, and saving the world. It does have some adult themes that these kids are dealing with but thats why I love it. Teens and kids even younger deal with adult situations theses days. Even though its not zombies and saving the world for them. I think Remy translates to all situations if someone is looking for or needs inspiration to stand strong. All I can say is that Remy and her gang of survivors (including Ripley the lion) are entertaining, hilarious, characters that will leave you salivating for a sequel and wanting to kick a little butt yourself.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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twilight1973

Posted November 29, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Remy may be my new favorite heroine!!!

Breaking from her fantasy and vampire YA genre settings, the author gives us a story set in post-apocalyptic times; when people infected with a type of virus that simulates the effects of the movie style zombies have overrun the world.

Remy, a girl looking for her brother, meets up with some new people and has to fight her way to him on a long trip north.

Remy is the type of person that others gravitate to, either for protection or for direction. She pulls no punches and fights like a wildcat. Readers of Laurel K. Hamilton's Amanda Blake series will instantly recognize a kindred spirit in Remy, although she doesn't fall in bed with every male character like Blake does.

The book is well paced and will definitely run the scale of your emotions. I can only hope a sequel is coming soon, as this book ends with a huge opening for one.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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CJMartin

Posted May 27, 2012

I was surprised to actually find this book in my public library.

I was surprised to actually find this book in my public library. I've heard about the A. Hocking phenomenon and though, &quot;What the hey. I'll give her another try.&quot; I'd tried to read her Trille trilogy and had to give up. Ridiculous. Liking zombies better, I figured time for a second shot.

I hated it. OK, maybe hate is too strong. I finished this book at least, so two points to Hocking for that. But, really, a lion? I mean, a lion?!! I was so distracted by that that I couldn't even concentrate on the rest, not that I really cared by that point. The characters were as hollow as her title. The plot was ridiculously contrived and the action boring at best. The story left me feeling lost and adrift. There was nothing to it, despite a pormising beginning. But once she left her little safehouse, it was as if Hocking spliced together a dozen different plot pieces. She should've called this story Frankenstein, because that's what it felt like.

Will I read the rest? No.

I know Hocking has a trade contract and I'll give her another go then, because I think she can come up with some good stuff with a litle help behind her. But not this. That was a waste of time.

3 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 3, 2012

Disturbing

Dont get me wrong, i love amanda hocking, i live in MN so i can relate to the settings of alot of her books, but this story was, creepy. When they say its for 16+, theyre not kidding. Im 13 and love her other books, so i picked it up for a buck. It is a really good story and plot, but the setting and how freaking graphic it is just freaks me out.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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RunZoe

Posted December 14, 2013

Not really for me.
I love zombies, but I¿ve never really read a

Not really for me.

I love zombies, but I’ve never really read a zombie book (unless you count Die For Me) so I was super excited to read this, especially after seeing the fantastic reviews. I can usually finish a book in a few days and I rarely take a break from a book to read something else. I must admit that I took a break from this book and was really tempted to add it to my short “abandoned” book list.

There wasn’t enough character development for me to care whether or not any of the characters became zombie kibble. I appreciate that Remy, the heroine of the book, wasn’t a damsel in distress, but her one track I-NEED-TO-SAVE-MY-BROTHER mind became a bit annoying. The other characters read like the cast of Gilligan’s Island with the doctor, the rockstar and the naïve, childlike girl (who in this case is actually a child), with the role of Gilligan going to the zombie eating pet lion. I think enough people have discussed the ridiculousness of the pet lion so I’ll leave it at that.

I realize I’m a bit older than the target age for this book, but I find young adult books very entertaining. This book fell a bit below expectations and I found the plot fairly predictable. Unfortunately, even the cliffhanger ending didn’t hook me enough to want to read further in the series.

I think it is amazing that an author can have such incredible success self-publishing. Congratulations and thank you for paving the way for future self-publishers. This book simply didn’t do it for me, not to say others won’t love it.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Toni-MyBookAddiction

Posted March 21, 2013

Hollowland was a good zombie book overall. There were a few thin

Hollowland was a good zombie book overall. There were a few things I didn't care for, but most of the story and the supporting characters kept me reading. I did enjoy the book and will likely read the second installment of the series.

If I had to sum up what I didn't care for, I would have to say that I didn't feel connected to some of the characters.

Remy, the heroine of this story, isn't the most likable character in my opinion. I found her voice to be monotone. Everything was so matter-of-fact and she expressed little emotion. The fact that she always knew exactly what to do, or how to react to every situation at her young age didn't always sit well with me.

I really enjoyed Blue's character. He was very intelligent, level-headed and brought a touch of reality to the story. Toward the end, Tatum became a favorite as well. I did not find Lazlo interesting, and I also didn't feel excited by his attraction to Remy. It was just like Tatum explained it in the book: he followed Remy around like a puppy. I wasn't feeling any compassion for Remy's brother, Max, as he wasn't really a character in the story. I had no reason to like him or feel an urgency for her to find him. I also found it strange that everyone around Remy questioned her loyalty to her brother. Several times she was asked why he was so important or why she would risk her life for him. In reality, everyone should understand her dedication to her little brother.. right?

That may all sound negative, and I don't mean it to sound that way. There have been books that I have simply stopped reading because nothing about it jives. This wasn't the case with Hollowland. I really did enjoy the book. I love zombie books so it's really difficult for me not to like a book that is filled with nasty, decaying zombies striving to end the human race one bite at a time, not to mention an ass-kicking heroine and her gang of friends treking across the country and running into all sorts of trouble along the way! It was a fun read and the ending makes it impossible not to read the next installment!

I would recommend this to anyone that loves the gruesomeness of the post-apocalyptic zombie genre.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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quiltsal

Posted May 13, 2012

not for me

I read a little of it, skipped ahead and read a little more.....a book for kids, not for adults. (And I read a lot of paranormal stuff.)

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Over a year ago, I re

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Over a year ago, I read Hocking’s Switched, which I enjoyed, but Hollowland was a step beyond on the enjoyment level. Hocking’s Hollowland was simply a great novel for its zombies, characters, and the world built inside it’s pages.

One thing I really liked about this book was that the author didn’t spare the reader from any of the gore or unpleasantness that occurs in a world where zombies and the destruction of civilization as we know it is the “norm.” In the scenes where zombies are attacking the main characters, there’s much description of how much blood, limbs, etc are flying around and breaking, and dying. Hocking makes sure the reader knows just what it’s like to encounter these creatures, like any good zombie book should. Some of the description of how the zombies’ bodies hold up to attacks are slightly repetitive, but it also drives the point across that these once human bodies have changed drastically because of the virus.

Remy, the narrator and main character, is one of the better characters I’ve read this year. She’s strong, determined, and rarely shows a sign of weakness, even if a love interest in introduced. She’s living in a world where survival is top priority and she doesn’t let anything get in her way of that. I found this to be a great part of the book. All of the characters were really well-written, actually. They were all developed over the course of the book and even a few that I didn’t like in the beginning, grew on me. Oh and Ripley, I want that to be a surprise, but she might be my favorite character in the book.

Upon finishing this book, I knew I’d want book 2. It’s not a common occurrence for me, either. It ended nicely and was set up for what I’m sure will be an exciting continuation. I can only hope that there’s more excitement, blood and gore, and danger in my reading future.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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shekinah_annora

Posted May 8, 2013

I found this an entertaining book. While it might not be one of

I found this an entertaining book. While it might not be one of those books that is passed down through the ages as a great literary work, it is a good rainy day read. There were some B-movie elements and some slightly campy moments... but I personally enjoy the B movies for the entertainment value they offer. Everything doesn't have to be taken so seriously to be appreciated. I loved the zombie killing lion that was picked up along the way. I also found Remy being so concerned with her brother to the point of following him across the country in hopes of finding him something that made up for her lack of caring in other situations.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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JayKaiAA

Posted April 26, 2013

unrealistic but very entertaining

so i had some pretty high hopes for this book since it was about zombie apocalypse. which i was very interested in. it comes off between the walking dead and i am legend. i would have to say i was not disappointed. the only thing i could think of that i hated, was the fact that it was a little unrealistic only at certain parts in the book. but overall its pretty realistic. and i great story. it kept be intrigued and wanting to know what happens next. i would recommend it just as long as you keep in mind that it will have some unrealistic parts in the book. once you get over that and continue reading it will be a fantastic read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 6, 2012

very good

if your having walking dead withdrawls you'll love this series so good!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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5109440

Posted October 1, 2011

Awesome!

I could not put this book down. Amanda Hocking is amazing so far I have totally loved all of her books!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 30, 2011

Really Enjoyed!!!

I love this author and very happy with this book. I loved the characters and can't wait for the next one in this series!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I couldnt put it down!

This book did not hold one single boring moment. I needed to keep reading more and more, even when I took a break I was anxious to come back to it. You just cant go wrong with the book. It has alk the elements you need in so little time.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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